Tamper-resistant operating nut for hydrants

ABSTRACT

A hydrant includes an operating stem comprising a threaded distal end extending from the hydrant; an operating nut comprising a first end facing the hydrant, an opposed second end, and a central bore defined in the operating nut and extending from the first end to the second end, the operating nut positioned on the operating stem such that a portion of the operating stem is positioned in the central bore and the threaded distal end of the operating stem extends beyond the second end of the operating nut; and a shear nut comprising a breakaway portion coupled to a nut portion, the shear nut rotatably secured to the distal end of the operating stem.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/145,103, filed Jan. 8, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/567,350, filed Sep. 11, 2019, which issued asU.S. Pat. No. 10,920,906 on Feb. 16, 2021, which is a divisional of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/852,453, filed on Dec. 22, 2017, which issued asU.S. Pat. No. 10,458,568 on Oct. 29, 2019, all of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to hydrants. More specifically, this disclosurerelates to tamper-resistant operating nuts for hydrants.

BACKGROUND

A fluid distribution system such as a municipal water system cancomprise a hydrant that can permit ready and reliable above-groundaccess to water by authorized personnel. To turn on water flow throughthe hydrant, an operating nut positioned on an exterior stem of thehydrant is turned by a wrench to open a water valve inside the hydrant.To discontinue water flowing from the water supply pipe through thehydrant, the operating nut is turned in the opposite direction to closea water valve inside the hydrant.

The operating nut is typically held in place on the stem by aconventional hex nut. Thus, the hex nut and the operating nut can easilybe removed by unauthorized users with a conventional wrench or otherconventional tools. This can be undesirable in some applications.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview ofthe disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it isintended to neither identify key or critical elements of the disclosurenor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is toexplain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as anintroduction to the following complete and extensive detaileddescription.

Disclosed is a hydrant comprising: an operating stem comprising athreaded distal end extending from the hydrant; an operating nutcomprising a first end facing the hydrant, an opposed second end, and acentral bore defined in the operating nut and extending from the firstend to the second end, the operating nut positioned on the operatingstem such that a portion of the stem is positioned in the central boreand the threaded distal end of the stem extends beyond the second end ofthe operating nut; a snap ring positioned on the stem, the snap ringconfigured to prevent the operating nut from being removed from theoperating stem without removing the snap ring; and a tightening nutrotatably secured to the stem, the tightening nut comprising internalthreads configured to matingly engage the threaded distal end of thestem.

Also disclosed is a method of securing an operating nut on an operatingstem of a hydrant, the method comprising: placing an operating nut on anoperating nut engaging portion of the operating stem that is proximalfrom the hydrant; placing a snap ring on the stem on a distal portion ofthe operating stem that is distal from the operating nut engagingportion; and threading a tightening nut on a threaded distal end of thedistal portion of the operating stem.

A hydrant is disclosed, the hydrant comprising an operating stemextending from the hydrant, the operating stem defining an elongate stempassage; an operating nut comprising a first end, an opposed second endand a central bore defined in the operating nut and extending from thefirst end to the second end, the operating nut further defining a dowelbore, the operating stem extending through the central bore, theoperating nut positioned such that the dowel bore and the stem passageare substantially co-axially aligned; and a dowel pin inserted throughthe dowel bore of the operating nut and the stem passage of theoperating stem.

Also disclosed is a method of preventing tampering with a hydrant, themethod comprising inserting an operation stem of the hydrant through acentral bore of an operation nut to mount the operation nut on theoperation stem; co-axially aligning a stem passage of the operation stemwith a dowel bore of the operation nut; and inserting a dowel pinthrough the stem passage and the dowel bore to prevent removal of theoperation nut from the operation stem and to prevent rotation of theoperation nut relative to the operation stem.

Additionally, disclosed is a hydrant comprising an operating stemcomprising a threaded distal end extending from the hydrant; anoperating nut comprising a first end facing the hydrant, an opposedsecond end, and a central bore defined in the operating nut andextending from the first end to the second end, the operating nutpositioned on the operating stem such that a portion of the operatingstem is positioned in the central bore and the threaded distal end ofthe operating stem extends beyond the second end of the operating nut;and a shear nut comprising a breakaway portion coupled to a nut portion,the shear nut rotatably secured to the distal end of the operating stem.

A method of preventing tampering with a hydrant is disclosed, the methodcomprising inserting an operating stem of the hydrant through a centralbore of an operating nut to mount the operating nut on the operatingstem; rotatably threading a shear nut onto a threaded distal end of theoperating stem, the shear nut comprising a breakaway portion and a nutportion; and breaking the nut portion away from the breakaway portion toremove the nut portion from the operating stem.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure may includeadditional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may notnecessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all suchsystems, methods, features, and advantages be included within thepresent disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims. Thefeatures and advantages of such implementations may be realized andobtained by means of the systems, methods, features particularly pointedout in the appended claims. These and other features will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims, ormay be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as setforth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated toemphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. The drawingsare not necessarily drawn to scale. Corresponding features andcomponents throughout the figures may be designated by matchingreference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hydrant comprising a tamper-resistantoperating nut, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure,the hydrant comprising a grooved nut.

FIG. 2 is a magnified perspective view of a portion of the hydrant ofFIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the hydrant of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hydrant comprising a tamper-resistantoperating nut, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure,the hydrant comprising a snap ring and a tightening nut.

FIG. 5 is a magnified perspective view of a portion of the hydrant ofFIG. 4 , in which the operating nut is not shown for clarity.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the hydrant of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a hydrant comprising a tamper-resistantoperating nut, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure,the hydrant comprising a dowel pin and a tightening nut.

FIG. 8 is a magnified perspective view of a portion of the hydrant ofFIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 is a magnified perspective view of a portion of the hydrant ofFIG. 7 , in which the operating nut is not shown for clarity.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the hydrant of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a hydrant comprising a tamper-resistantoperating nut, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure,the hydrant comprising a shear nut.

FIG. 12 is a magnified perspective view of a portion of the hydrant ofFIG. 11 .

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the hydrant of FIG. 11 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, andthe previous and following description. However, before the presentdevices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is tobe understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specificdevices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified,and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularaspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of thepresent devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently knownaspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognizeand appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects ofthe present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, whilestill obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. Itwill also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the presentdisclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of thepresent disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, thosewho work in the art will recognize that many modifications andadaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even bedesirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the presentdisclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrativeof the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitationthereof.

As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” includeplural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus,for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more suchelements unless the context indicates otherwise.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value,and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/orto the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed asapproximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understoodthat the particular value forms another aspect. It will be furtherunderstood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant bothin relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the otherendpoint.

For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimensionmeasuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scalemeasures within a range between X plus an industry-standard uppertolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standardlower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances canvary between different materials, processes and between differentmodels, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particularcomponent can fall within a range of tolerances.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that thesubsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, andthat the description includes instances where said event or circumstanceoccurs and instances where it does not.

The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular listand also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, oneshould note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do notinclude, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditionallanguage is not generally intended to imply that features, elementsand/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspectsor that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic fordeciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether thesefeatures, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed inany particular aspect.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosedmethods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein,and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions,groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specificreference of each various individual and collective combinations andpermutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each isspecifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods andsystems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, butnot limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a varietyof additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each ofthese additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect orcombination of aspects of the disclosed methods.

Disclosed are hydrants comprising one or more tamper-resistant operatingnuts and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus.The tamper-resistant operating nuts can be positioned on a stem of ahydrant and securedly held in place to prevent undesirable orunauthorized removal of the operating nut. It would be understood by oneof skill in the art that the disclosed tamper-resistant operating nutsare described in but a few exemplary embodiments among many. Noparticular terminology or description should be considered limiting onthe disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.

FIGS. 1-3 show a hydrant 10 comprising two a tamper-resistant operatingnuts, the hydrant 10 comprising two operating nuts 100 and twofrustoconical grooved nuts 110, according to one aspect. Any number oftamper-resistant operating nuts can be present in various aspects,depending typically on the number of operating nuts that a particularhydrant comprises. As shown in FIG. 3 , an operating stem 12 comprisinga threaded distal end 14 can extend from the hydrant 10. The operatingnut 100 can comprise a first end 102 and an opposed second end 104. Acentral bore 106 can be defined in the operating nut 100 and can extendfrom the first end 102 to the second end 104 of the operating nut 100.The operating nut 100 can be positioned on the stem 12 of the hydrant 10such that the first end 102 of the operating nut 100 faces the hydrant10, a portion of the stem 12 is positioned in the central bore 106, andthe threaded distal end 14 of the stem 12 extends beyond the second end104 of the operating nut 100.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the grooved nut 110 can be a frustoconical nutdefining a plurality of indentions 112 defined in an outer surface 114of the grooved nut 110. For example, the grooved nut can be atri-grooved nut defining three indentions 112 defined in the outersurface 114 of the grooved nut 110. Internal threads can be defined inthe grooved nut 110 and configured to matingly engage the threadeddistal end 14 of the stem 12. Specialized tools configured to matinglyengage the indentions 112, such as tri-groove wrenches, tri-groovesockets and the like can be used to drive the grooved nut 110. Thus,conventional tools such as wrenches, pliers and sockets having planarjaws and/or planar faces cannot be used to remove the grooved nut 110,because the planar jaws and/or planar faces cannot engage the indentions112 of the grooved nut 110.

In use, the grooved nut 110 can be threaded onto the distal end 14 ofthe stem 12 and securedly attached to the stem 12 with a mating groovedwrench, such as a tri-groove socket and the like. In one aspect, thegrooved nut 110 can be threaded onto the stem 12 until a proximal end116 of the grooved nut 110 is adjacent to the second end 104 of theoperating nut 100. Because specialized mating tools, such as tri-groovewrenches, tri-groove sockets, and the like are not common tools,unauthorized removal of the grooved nut 110 from the stem 12 can bedifficult.

In use, the grooved nut 110 can insure that the operating nut 100 is inplace on the hydrant 10. Rotation of the operating nut 100 in a firstdirection can open a valve in the hydrant 10 so that water can passthrough the hydrant 10. Rotation of the operating nut 100 in a seconddirection that is opposed to the first direction can close the valve anddiscontinue the flow of water through the hydrant 10.

While reference is made to grooved nuts 110, other nuts and fasteningdevices that require the use of specialized tools to install and removethe nuts are also contemplated.

FIGS. 4-6 show a hydrant 10 comprising another aspect oftamper-resistant operating nut, the hydrant 10 comprising two operatingnuts 100, two tightening nuts 120, and two snap rings 122 (shown in FIG.5 ), according to one aspect. The operating stem 12 comprising thethreaded distal end 14 can extend from the body of the hydrant 10. Asshown in FIG. 6 , the operating nut 100 can comprise the first end 102,the opposed second end 104, and the central bore 106 defined in theoperating nut 100 extending from the first end 102 to the second end104. The operating nut 100 can be positioned on the stem 12 of thehydrant 10 such that the first end 102 of the operating nut 100 facesthe hydrant 10, a portion of the stem 12 is positioned in the centralbore 106, and the threaded distal end 14 of the stem 12 extends beyondthe second end 104 of the operating nut 100.

The snap ring 122 can define an internal diameter that is selectivelyadjustable about and between a relaxed position and an expandedposition. In one aspect, in the relaxed position, the snap ring 122 candefine a relaxed internal diameter that is less than or equal to anouter diameter of the threaded distal end 14 of the stem 12. In anotheraspect, in the relaxed position, the snap ring 122 can define a relaxedinternal diameter substantially equal to a valley 16 defined betweenadjacent raised threads 18 of the threaded distal end 14 of the stem 12.In the expanded position, the snap ring 122 can define an expandedinternal diameter that is greater than the diameter of threads 18 of thethreaded distal end 14 of the stem 12. Tools such as snap ring pliersand the like can be used to expand the internal diameter of the snapring 122 from the relaxed position to the expanded position. In anotheraspect, the snap ring 122 can define an outer diameter that is less thana diameter of the central bore 106 of the operating nut 100.

The snap ring 122 can be positioned onto the threaded distal end 14 ofthe stem 12 and in the central bore 106 of the operating nut 100. In oneaspect, the snap ring 122 can be positioned onto the threaded distal end14 of the stem 12 at a location spaced from the end of the stem 12 apredetermined distance, as illustrated in FIG. 5 . For example, the snapring 122 can be positioned onto the threaded distal end 14 of the stem12 adjacent to a non-threaded portion of the stem 12 with snap ringpliers. In another aspect, the snap ring 122 can be positioned onto thethreaded distal end 14 of the stem 12 at the valley 16 defined betweenthe adjacent raised threads 18 of the threaded distal end 14 of the stem12. Upon removal of the snap ring pliers, the snap ring 122 can movefrom the expanded internal diameter towards the relaxed internaldiameter so that the internal diameter of the snap ring 122 decreasesand the snap ring 122 is securedly attached to the stem 12. Becausetools such as snap ring pliers and the like are not common tools,unauthorized removal of the snap ring 122 from the stem 12 can bedifficult.

In one aspect, the tightening nut 120 can be a conventional nutcomprising internal threads defined in the tightening nut 120 andconfigured to matingly engage the threaded distal end 14 of the stem 12.The tightening nut 120 can then be threaded onto the distal end 14 ofthe stem 12 and securedly attached to the stem 12 with a conventionalwrench, socket and the like. In one aspect, the tightening nut 120 canbe threaded onto the stem 12 until a proximal end 124 of the tighteningnut 120 is adjacent to the second end 104 of the operating nut 100.

In use, the tightening nut 120 can fixedly secure the operating nut 100in place on the stem 12 of the hydrant 10, and the snap ring 122 canhelp insure that that operating nut 100 remains in place on the hydrant10. For example, if an unauthorized user of the hydrant 10 wants toremove the operating nut 100, upon removal of the tightening nut 120with a conventional wrench, the snap ring 122 can prevent removal of theoperating nut 100 without specialized, uncommon tools.

While reference is made to snap rings 122, other compressive rings andfastening devices that require the use of specialized tools to installand remove the rings are also contemplated.

FIGS. 7-11 show a hydrant 10 comprising another aspect of atamper-resistant operating nut, the hydrant 10 comprising two operatingnuts 100, a tightening nut 130, and a dowel pin 132, according to oneaspect. The operating stem 12 comprising the threaded distal end 14 canextend from the body of the hydrant 10. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , theoperating stem 12 can define an elongate passage 20 defining a passageaxis L₁ that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal stem axisL₂ of the stem 12. In one aspect, the passage 20 of the stem 12 canextend from a first side 22 of the stem 12 through to an opposed secondside 24 of the stem 12. Alternatively, in other aspects, the elongatepassage 20 of the stem 12 can extend from the first side 22 of the stem12 partially through the stem 12 without extending to the second side24.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the operating nut 100 can comprise the first end102, the opposed second end 104, and the central bore 106 defined in theoperating nut 100 extending from the first end 102 to the second end 104of the operating nut 100 along a central bore axis L₃. In one aspect,the operating nut 100 can define a dowel bore 108 defining a dowel boreaxis L₄ that is substantially perpendicular to the central bore axis L₃of the operating nut 100. In another aspect, the dowel bore 108 of theoperating nut 100 can extend from a first side 101 of the operating nut100 through to an opposed second side 103 of the operating nut 100.Alternatively, in other aspects, the dowel bore 108 of the operating nut100 can extend from the first side 101 of the operating nut 100partially through the operating nut 100 without extending to the secondside 103. For example, the dowel bore 108 can extend through the firstside 101 of the operating nut and into the central bore 106.

The operating nut 100 can be positioned on the stem 12 of the hydrant 10such that a portion of the stem 12 is positioned in the central bore 106and the threaded distal end 14 of the stem 12 extends beyond the secondend 104 of the operating nut 100. In one aspect, the operating nut 100can be positioned on the stem 12 of the hydrant 10 such that the dowelbore 108 of the operating nut 100 is substantially co-axially alignedwith the passage 20 of the stem 12. In another aspect, the operating nut100 can be positioned on the stem 12 of the hydrant 10 such that thecentral bore axis L₃ and the longitudinal stem axis L₂ of the stem 12are substantially parallel.

The dowel pin 132 can be sized and configured to frictionally engage thedowel bore 108 of the operating nut 100 and/or the passage 20 of thestem 12. For example, with the dowel bore 108 of the operating nut 100substantially co-axially aligned with the passage 20 of the stem 12, thedowel pin 132 can be inserted into the dowel bore 108 of the operatingnut 100 and the passage 20 of the stem 12. Friction between the walls ofthe dowel bore 108 of the operating nut 100 and/or the passage 20 of thestem 12 can hold the dowel pin 132 in place relative to the operatingnut 100 and the stem 12. In one aspect, the dowel pin 132 can define apin length substantially equal to or greater than a width of theoperating nut 100. In other aspects, the pin length of the dowel pin 132can be less than the width of the operating nut 100.

In use, the operating nut 100 can be positioned on the stem 12 of thehydrant 10 such that the first end 102 of the operating nut 100 facesthe body of the hydrant 10, a portion of the stem 12 is positioned inthe central bore 106 and the threaded distal end 14 of the stem 12extends beyond the second end 104 of the operating nut 100. The dowelbore 108 of the operating nut 100 can be substantially co-axiallyaligned with the passage 20 of the stem 12. The dowel pin 132 can beinserted through the dowel bore 108 of the first side 101 of theoperating nut 100 and into the passage 20 of the stem 12. In one aspect,if the dowel pin 132 defines a pin length substantially equal to orgreater than the width of the operating nut 100, the dowel pin 132 canbe inserted through the dowel bore 108 of the first side 101 of theoperating nut 100, through the passage 20 of the stem 12, and throughthe dowel pin bore 108 of the second side 103 of the operating nut. Inanother aspect, if the dowel pin 132 defines a pin length less than thewidth of the operating nut 100, the dowel pin 132 can be insertedthrough the dowel bore 108 of the first side 101 of the operating nut100 and through at least a portion of the passage 20 of the stem 12.

In one aspect, the tightening nut 130 can be a conventional nutcomprising internal threads defined in the tightening nut 130 andconfigured to matingly engage the threaded distal end 14 of the stem 12.The tightening nut 130 can be threaded onto the distal end 14 of thestem 12 and securedly attached to the stem 12 with a conventionalwrench, socket, and the like. In one aspect, the tightening nut 130 canbe threaded onto the stem 12 until a proximal end of the tightening nut130 is adjacent to the second end 104 of the operating nut 100.

Because the friction fit between the dowel pin 132 and the dowel bore108 of the operating nut 100 and/or the passage 20 of the stem 12 can bevery tight, removal of the dowel pin 132 from the operating nut 100 canbe difficult. In one aspect, if the dowel pin 132 extends through boththe first side 101 and the second side 103 of the operating nut 100, thedowel pin 132 can be knocked out of the operating nut 100 with toolssuch as a hammer and punch and the like. In other aspects, however, ifthe dowel bore 108 is not defined in the second side 103 of theoperating nut 100, removal of the dowel pin 132 can require drilling thedowel pin 132 out, which can be very difficult and/or time consuming.

In use, the dowel pin 132 can fixedly secure the operating nut 100 inplace on the stem 12 of the hydrant 10. Rotation of the operating nut100 in a first direction can open a valve in the hydrant 10 so thatwater can pass through the hydrant 10. Rotation of the operating nut 100in a second direction that is opposed to the first direction can closethe valve and discontinue the flow of water through the hydrant 10. Ifan unauthorized user of the hydrant 10 wants to remove the operating nut100, the dowel pin 132 can prevent removal of the operating nut 100without difficult and/or time consuming procedures.

While reference is made to dowel pins 132, other pinning devices such asa locking pin and the like are also contemplated within the scope of thedisclosure.

FIGS. 11-13 show a hydrant 10 comprising another aspect of atamper-resistant operating nut, the hydrant 10 comprising two operatingnuts 100 and two shear nuts 140, according to one aspect. The operatingstem 12 comprising the threaded distal end 14 can extend from the bodyof the hydrant 10. As shown in FIG. 12 , the operating nut 100 cancomprise the first end 102, the opposed second end 104, and the centralbore 106 defined in the operating nut 100 extending from the first end102 to the second end 104 of the operating nut 100. The operating nut100 can be positioned on the stem 12 of the hydrant 10 such that thefirst end 102 of the operating nut 100 faces the hydrant 10, a portionof the stem 12 is positioned in the central bore 106, and the threadeddistal end 14 of the stem 12 extends beyond the second end 104 of theoperating nut 100.

As shown in FIG. 13 , the shear nut 140 can comprise a frustoconicalportion 142 coupled to a conventional hex nut 144. The frustoconicalportion 142 of the shear nut 140 can define a smooth outer wall andinternal threads aligned with the threads of the hex nut 144. In oneaspect, the shear nut 140 can be configured so that when positioned onthe threaded distal end 14 of the stem 12 and upon application of apredetermined torque to the hex nut 144, the hex nut 144 can shear offor break away from the frustoconical portion 142 so that the hex nut 144and the frustoconical portion 142 are not coupled together. Thus, whilea conventional wrench can be used to rotate the frustoconical portion142 when the frustoconical portion 142 is coupled to the hex nut 144,when the hex nut 144 shears away from the frustoconical portion 142, theconventional wrench can no longer rotate the frustoconical portion 142of the shear nut 140.

In use, the shear nut 140 (with the hex nut 144 coupled to thefrustoconical portion 142) can be threaded onto the distal end 14 of thestem 12 with the frustoconical portion 142 of the shear nut 140positioned closer to the hydrant 10 than the hex nut 144. The hex nut144 can be tightened with a convention wrench and upon reaching thepredetermined torque, the hex nut 144 can shear off of leaving thefrustoconical portion 142 securedly attached to the stem 12. Because thefrustoconical portion 142 defines a smooth outer wall 146, tools such aswrenches and the like cannot be used to remove the frustoconical portion142. Instead, the frustoconical portion 142 must be cut off for removalfrom the stem 12, which can be difficult. In one aspect, the shear nut140 can be threaded onto the stem 12 until a proximal end 148 of theshear nut 140 is adjacent to the second end 104 of the operating nut100.

In use, the shear nut 140 can fixedly secure the operating nut 100 inplace on the hydrant 10. Rotation of the operating nut 100 in a firstdirection can open a valve in the hydrant 10 so that water can passthrough the hydrant 10. Rotation of the operating nut 100 in a seconddirection that is opposed to the first direction can close the valve anddiscontinue the flow of water through the hydrant 10. If an unauthorizeduser of the hydrant 10 wants to remove the operating nut 100, thefrustoconical portion 142 of the shear nut 140 can prevent removal ofthe operating nut 100 without difficult and/or time consumingprocedures.

While reference is made to shear nuts 140, other fastening devices thatmust be cut for removal, such as one way screws and the like are alsocontemplated.

One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments donot include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, suchconditional language is not generally intended to imply that features,elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particularembodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any processdescriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood asrepresenting modules, segments, or portions of code which include one ormore executable instructions for implementing specific logical functionsor steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included inwhich functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executedout of order from that shown or discussed, including substantiallyconcurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionalityinvolved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the artof the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be madeto the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantiallyfrom the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, thescope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and allcombinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspectsdiscussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and allpossible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements orsteps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A hydrant comprising: an operating stemcomprising a threaded distal end extending from the hydrant; anoperating nut comprising a first end facing the hydrant, an opposedsecond end, and a central bore defined in the operating nut andextending from the first end to the second end, the operating nutpositioned on the operating stem such that a portion of the operatingstem is positioned in the central bore and the threaded distal end ofthe operating stem extends beyond the second end of the operating nut;and a shear nut comprising a breakaway portion coupled to a nut portion,the shear nut rotatably secured to the threaded distal end of theoperating stem.
 2. The hydrant of claim 1, wherein each of the breakawayportion and the nut portion comprise internal threads configured tomatingly engage the threaded distal end of the operating stem.
 3. Thehydrant of claim 2, wherein the nut portion is configured to berotatably secured to the threaded distal end of the operating stem suchthat, at a predetermined torque, the nut portion separates from thebreakaway portion.
 4. The hydrant of claim 3, wherein the breakawayportion defines a frustoconical breakaway portion.
 5. The hydrant ofclaim 4, wherein the frustoconical breakaway portion defines a smoothouter wall.
 6. The hydrant of claim 4, wherein the nut portion is a hexnut portion defining six substantially planar nut sidewalls.
 7. Thehydrant of claim 4, wherein the shear nut is configured to be rotatedrelative to the threaded distal end of the operating stem until aproximal end of the frustoconical breakaway portion is adjacent to thesecond end of the operating nut.
 8. The hydrant of claim 7, wherein adiameter of the breakaway portion at the proximal end is greater than adiameter of the breakaway portion at a distal end thereof.
 9. Thehydrant of claim 8, wherein: the operating stem defines a first planarstem face; the central bore of the operating nut defines a first planarnut face; and the first planar stem face confronts the first planar nutface within the central bore to prevent rotation of the operating nut onthe operating stem.
 10. The hydrant of claim 8, wherein the operatingstem defines a shoulder, the second end of the operating nut abuttingthe shoulder to prevent axial movement of the operating nut towards thehydrant, the operating nut sandwiched between the shoulder and thefrustoconical breakaway portion.
 11. The hydrant of claim 10, whereinthe shoulder is an annular shoulder extending radially inward relativeto a stem axis of the operating stem.
 12. The hydrant of claim 11,wherein the operating nut further defines a plurality of planar outerfaces.
 13. The hydrant of claim 12, wherein the operating nut furtherdefines a substantially cylindrical collar formed at the first end ofthe operating nut, the substantially cylindrical collar abutting theannular shoulder.
 14. A method of preventing tampering with a hydrant,the method comprising: inserting an operating stem of the hydrantthrough a central bore of an operating nut to mount the operating nut onthe operating stem; rotatably threading a shear nut onto a threadeddistal end of the operating stem, the shear nut comprising a breakawayportion and a nut portion; and breaking the nut portion away from thebreakaway portion to remove the nut portion from the operating stem. 15.The method of claim 14, wherein breaking the nut portion away from thebreakaway portion comprises tightening the shear nut on the operatingstem and abutting a proximal end of the breakaway portion against asecond end of the operating nut.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein thebreakaway portion defines a frustoconical breakaway portion, and whereina diameter of the frustoconical breakaway portion is greater at theproximal end thereof than at a distal end of the frustoconical breakawayportion.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the nut portion is a hexnut portion defining six substantially planar nut sidewalls.
 18. Themethod of claim 15, wherein inserting the operating stem of the hydrantthrough the central bore of the operating nut further comprises abuttinga first end of the operating nut against a shoulder of the operatingstem.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the operating nut furtherdefines a plurality of planar outer faces and a substantiallycylindrical collar, the substantially cylindrical collar formed at thefirst end of the operating nut, and wherein the shoulder is asubstantially annular shoulder, the substantially cylindrical collarabutting the substantially annular shoulder.
 20. The method of claim 14,further comprising confronting a planar stem face of the operating stemwith a planar nut face defined by the central bore of the operating nutto prevent rotation of the operating nut on the operating stem.